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Young Leaders from all

Hi all, my name is Alex Silverstein and I am from the United Kingdom (London). I was born on the 7th November 1987, a week earlier than expected. Had I been born on the 14th November I would celebrate my birthday on World Diabetes Day. Therefore, perhaps it was fate that at age one I developed type 1 diabetes. Being diagnosed so young I can’t really imagine life without diabetes and this helps me to keep a positive attitude. My mother also thinks its the reason I did a degree in Mathematics, because I began playing with decimals when testing my blood glucose levels from age two. After Graduating from University in July 2009 I began volunteering for the Charity Diabetes UK in London. In March 2010 I began working fulltime for Diabetes UK and have done two roles, one as Manager of all volunteers in London and another as Young Adult Project Manager for the Charity.

Hi all, my name is Aminath Abdul Rahman, all my friends call me Aana I am from Male’ Maldives, the sunny side of life. I was born on 9th July 1985. I completed my studies at Aminiyya School of Male’. I first came to the Diabetes Society of Maldives (DSM) as a registered diabetic patient in 2005 and I got involved in DSM’s activities as a volunteer and I started working at DSM as a full time staff on June 2006.

I got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 9. Most people and most doctors weren’t very aware about diabetes then, let alone type 1 diabetes. Not I or my parents were given any information about even the basics of diabetes so I was put on oral medication first and I got worse. So finally I was put on insulin therapy. The first actual information and education I got about diabetes was when I joined the Diabetes Society of Maldives, the DSM team became my second family and my cheerleaders on the field of diabetes. And I have never stopped learning since then.

I am from Georgia, Tbilisi. Like in many developed and developing countries every year in my country it is also growing the number of people with Diabetes.

Diabetes is a big challenge in Georgia. Although the government gives us insulin, test stripes, glucose monitors, we still have a big problem. The financial resources for giving good insulin to people after age 18 is limited or sometimes even not funded. We have a highly qualified doctors and medicine Centres who work on that global problem. We have a different state programs and projects that help people with Diabetes for their analysis and diagnostics.

It is already 20th year since I was diagnosed with the diabetes. I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was only 2. Luckily I had great doctors around me who gave me a right rules so that I was able to grow up cheerful. I have a family with me who treated me how to live with a new and a different face of life.
First I had a contact with the children with diabetes was when I was 9. I was writing in a Georgian magazine called “Your friend” and in that collective some children were working with diabetes.
Then I finished school and graduated from my University. I have finished the School of Law. Then I become a licensed solicitor and at the moment I am working as a licensed solicitor in a civil and administrative law in a Law firm.

Hi, my name is Anita Permata Sari and I am from Indonesia (Jakarta). I was born on January 16th 1984. I was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 13 and I am now not the only person who has diabetes in the family, as eventually my Father and my sister also developed type 2 diabetes. I graduated with an Accounting degree for my Bachelors and Applied Finance for my Masters Degree. I am also a certified financial planner and a working mother with one lovely son; whilst working for a national oil and gas company.

The greatest challenge for me living with diabetes is to show people that I can live a normal life equal to other peoples, where I can pursue my education, excel in my career and have a family,

Breaking the stigma is difficult, since many people are misinformed and misunderstand things about diabetes. To overcome the stigma, continuous information about diabetes should be a top priority, as should providing people with evidence that diabetes will not hinder someone from living their life.

Diabetes management is also crucial due to the cost of diabetes supplies and necessary awareness on implementing a healthy lifestyle.

Two years ago I graduated from the university with a degree in journalism and work now as an editor at one of the most popular radio stations in our country.
Last year's study at the university seemed special because I was diagnosed with diabetes.

My family perceived this diagnosis harder than me. From the first days in the hospital, I took up literature to convince them that "I will live". After a long absence at the university my friends met me with support, the others with compassion and some people asked with caution whether it is not transmitted. Nobody can believe that diabetes does not choose!

My life was changed definitely by a teacher of journalism, who just wrote an article about diabetes and the Ukrainian Diabetes Federation. She advised me to contact to this organization.
Making first steps in cooperation with the organization I was full of pride that I joined the people who are not afraid to talk about their special way of life. After all, a big problem in our society is not only diagnosis, a delay in treatment of illness and a fear of injections of insulin, but also when people do not wish to tell their friends and colleagues that they are sick. Sometimes it is very dangerous!